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Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery at home in his home state, after returning from a extended period in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to relieve bleeding on the brain left Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The team announced this week that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski added that the athlete is improving each day and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

Importantly, the CEO confirmed that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa will not return to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the Storm family will support him fully and support him through his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the events that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a head injury during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, Katoa was allowed to play in the game and suffered two more head impacts before being substituted in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

The league has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the sport in recent years, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for affected players.